Weight loss surgery forces you to make a lot of changes in the way you eat and move. There are plenty of rules to guide you in your diet and exercise routine, so it is possible to make the changes without even thinking about it as long as you follow the program.

Still, many weight loss surgery patients pay a lot more attention to their body’s messages. The stereotype of a pre-op patient is eating without regards to hunger, but rather because the food is there and tastes good. You might not hear your body asking you to take it for a brisk walk to get the blood moving and heart pumping.

You might start soon after surgery thinking about your hunger, your pain levels, and your thirst. You might even notice that your body craves certain nutrients more now, or you may be more likely to ask yourself why you would want a sugary snack whereas before surgery you might just grab it.

When exercising, you might now focus on distinguishing between muscle soreness that you should work through, versus an injury that you need to rest.

So, would you say you are more in tune with your body since getting weight loss surgery? If you are pre-op, are you paying more attention to your body’s signals and learning to read them?

Absolutely. Post op now. My doc/nut office only encourages us to listen to our bodies in regards to foods and what to eat. Don't eat just because it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Eat because you're truly hungry. I'm finding my stomach to cramp when I'm hungry. Granted I'm only 5 days out from surgery, but it's definitely been a time for me to learn my cues and listen. My body will change and I'll have more to learn and listen for.

Not as good as I should be. Was working out 5-6 days a week started feeling soreness so I was just thinking I needed to work through it. Come to find out out I had pnemonia ! Now that I'm back to gym going slower and watching aches and pains.